§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he will take to ensure that arrears of supplementary benefit are paid to all claimants who were affected by the freeze on board-and-lodging payments imposed on 20 December 1984.
§ Mr. MajorI refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, South (Mr. Sumberg) on 6 March at columns724–25.
§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants were affected by the freeze on board-and-lodging payments between 20 December 1984 and 28 April 1985; and how many of them are still affected as a result of the transitional protection given by regulation 9(17) of the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1983.
§ Mr. MajorThe number affected is roughly estimated to be about 20,000. It is not known how many will be entitled to transitional protection.